1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:02,880 Speaker 1: No one likes to talk about money. Am I saving enough? 2 00:00:02,960 --> 00:00:05,040 Speaker 1: Can I buy a house? Am I paying too much 3 00:00:05,040 --> 00:00:07,760 Speaker 1: in taxes? Will I be able to retire? What if 4 00:00:07,760 --> 00:00:10,360 Speaker 1: you could unlock insights about your finances in less than 5 00:00:10,400 --> 00:00:12,840 Speaker 1: five minutes, with a clear picture of where you stand 6 00:00:12,880 --> 00:00:15,720 Speaker 1: today and where your money can work harder. Now you 7 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: can visit facet dot com to take the free quiz 8 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 1: and get your financial wellness score today. That's Facet dot com. 9 00:00:23,400 --> 00:00:25,360 Speaker 1: This ad is sponsored by Facet. Fast Wealth in Corporated 10 00:00:25,440 --> 00:00:27,280 Speaker 1: is an sec registered investment advisor. This is not an 11 00:00:27,320 --> 00:00:29,080 Speaker 1: offer to buy your self securities or is it investment, 12 00:00:29,160 --> 00:00:30,080 Speaker 1: legal or tax advice. 13 00:00:30,760 --> 00:00:33,960 Speaker 2: You're ready for a comeback, and with Purdue Global you 14 00:00:34,000 --> 00:00:37,200 Speaker 2: can do more than take classes. You can take charge 15 00:00:37,520 --> 00:00:41,520 Speaker 2: of your story, of your career, of your life, Earn 16 00:00:41,560 --> 00:00:43,559 Speaker 2: a degree you can be proud of, and get an 17 00:00:43,680 --> 00:00:48,559 Speaker 2: education employer's respect. It's time, your time, not just to 18 00:00:48,560 --> 00:00:50,960 Speaker 2: go back to school, but to come back and move 19 00:00:51,040 --> 00:00:55,840 Speaker 2: forward with Purdue Global, Purdue's online university for working adults. 20 00:00:56,440 --> 00:00:59,920 Speaker 2: Start your comeback at Purdueglobal dot edu. 21 00:01:00,720 --> 00:01:03,480 Speaker 3: Hi, this is Joel and Victoria. Thanks for listening to 22 00:01:03,520 --> 00:01:06,679 Speaker 3: our podcast and thanks for supporting the ministry. If you 23 00:01:06,760 --> 00:01:09,360 Speaker 3: enjoy today's message, why don't you be a blessing and 24 00:01:09,400 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 3: share it with a friend. We appreciate you and pray 25 00:01:12,120 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 3: for God's very best in your life. Well, God bless you. 26 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:28,679 Speaker 3: It's always a joy to come into your homes, and 27 00:01:29,080 --> 00:01:31,679 Speaker 3: if you're ever in our area, please stop by and 28 00:01:31,760 --> 00:01:34,040 Speaker 3: be a part of one of our services. I promise 29 00:01:34,080 --> 00:01:36,480 Speaker 3: you we'll make you feel right at home. Thanks so 30 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:38,839 Speaker 3: much for tuning in, and thank you again for coming 31 00:01:38,880 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 3: out today. I'd like to start with something funny, and 32 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:45,039 Speaker 3: this was sent to me from an attorney. I heard 33 00:01:45,040 --> 00:01:48,720 Speaker 3: about these two men, the Pope and a lawyer. They 34 00:01:48,760 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 3: died on the same day. Peter met them at the 35 00:01:51,560 --> 00:01:54,280 Speaker 3: Pearly gates said, follow me, men, I'll take you to 36 00:01:54,360 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 3: your homes. Peter first dropped the Pope off at this 37 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,960 Speaker 3: small wood frame house, just one bed and one desk. 38 00:02:02,640 --> 00:02:06,720 Speaker 3: He then took the lawyer to this magnificent house. Was huge, 39 00:02:07,040 --> 00:02:09,720 Speaker 3: had a big swimming pool, a beautiful view out back. 40 00:02:10,320 --> 00:02:13,760 Speaker 3: The lawyer was overwhelmed. He said, Saint Peter, what did 41 00:02:13,800 --> 00:02:17,440 Speaker 3: I do to manage to get this magnificent place when 42 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:21,160 Speaker 3: the Pope only got that small place. Peter said, we 43 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:26,160 Speaker 3: have dozens of popes. You're the first lawyer. Hold up 44 00:02:26,160 --> 00:02:29,320 Speaker 3: your bible. This is my Bible. I am what it 45 00:02:29,360 --> 00:02:31,720 Speaker 3: says I am. I have what it says I have. 46 00:02:32,280 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 3: I can do what it says I can do. Today 47 00:02:34,880 --> 00:02:38,040 Speaker 3: I will be taught the word of God. I boldly confess. 48 00:02:38,480 --> 00:02:41,760 Speaker 3: My mind is alert, my heart is recepted. I will 49 00:02:41,800 --> 00:02:45,720 Speaker 3: never be the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. 50 00:02:47,000 --> 00:02:49,920 Speaker 3: I want to talk to you today about finishing grace. 51 00:02:50,800 --> 00:02:53,360 Speaker 3: It doesn't take a lot of effort to start things. 52 00:02:53,880 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 3: Start a diet, start school, start a family. Starting is easy. 53 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:03,760 Speaker 3: Finish is what can be difficult. Any young lady can 54 00:03:03,840 --> 00:03:06,600 Speaker 3: have a baby, but it takes a mother to really 55 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 3: raise that child. Any two people can get married, but 56 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:13,480 Speaker 3: it takes commitment to stick with it for the long haul. 57 00:03:14,320 --> 00:03:18,760 Speaker 3: Anyone can have a dream, but it takes determination, perseverance, 58 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,160 Speaker 3: a made up mind to see it come to pass. 59 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:25,800 Speaker 3: The question is not will you start, but will you finish? 60 00:03:26,280 --> 00:03:29,160 Speaker 3: Will you finish the diet, will you finish school? Will 61 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 3: you finish raising your children? Too many people start off good. 62 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:37,560 Speaker 3: They have big dreams, they're excited about their future, but 63 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 3: along the way they have some setbacks. It's taken longer 64 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:44,120 Speaker 3: than they thought. Somebody didn't do what they said, and 65 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:46,960 Speaker 3: over time they get discouraged. Thank well, what's the use. 66 00:03:47,040 --> 00:03:50,160 Speaker 3: It's never going to work out. But God is called 67 00:03:50,400 --> 00:03:54,440 Speaker 3: the author and the finisher of our faith. He's not 68 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:57,880 Speaker 3: only given you the grace to start, He's given you 69 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:01,760 Speaker 3: the grace to finish. When you're tempted to get discouraged, 70 00:04:02,160 --> 00:04:04,760 Speaker 3: give up on a dream, give up on a relationship, 71 00:04:04,800 --> 00:04:07,960 Speaker 3: give up on a project, you have to remind yourself 72 00:04:08,400 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 3: I was not created to give up. I was not 73 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,800 Speaker 3: created to quit. I was created to finish. You got 74 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:19,400 Speaker 3: to shake off the discouragement, shake off the self pity, 75 00:04:19,920 --> 00:04:23,640 Speaker 3: shake off what somebody said. If you will keep moving 76 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 3: forward in faith, honoring God, you will come into a 77 00:04:27,920 --> 00:04:32,400 Speaker 3: strength that you didn't have before, a force pushing you forward. 78 00:04:32,640 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 3: That's finishing grace. That's God breathing in your direction, helping 79 00:04:37,480 --> 00:04:41,600 Speaker 3: you to become who he created you to be. Disgrace 80 00:04:41,760 --> 00:04:44,719 Speaker 3: is available, but you have to tap into it. It's 81 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:46,880 Speaker 3: not going to do us any good if we sit 82 00:04:46,920 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 3: around in self pity thinking about how difficult it is, 83 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 3: what didn't work out well? Joel, my college professor, he's 84 00:04:54,880 --> 00:04:57,960 Speaker 3: so hard I'll never pass his course. No, you have 85 00:04:58,120 --> 00:05:02,359 Speaker 3: the grace to finish u talking defeat and start talking victory. 86 00:05:02,839 --> 00:05:05,680 Speaker 3: I can do all things through Christ. I am full 87 00:05:05,720 --> 00:05:10,400 Speaker 3: of wisdom, talent, creativity. I will pass this course. When 88 00:05:10,440 --> 00:05:14,039 Speaker 3: you do that, finishing grace will help you do what 89 00:05:14,160 --> 00:05:17,440 Speaker 3: you could not do on your own, even in simple things. 90 00:05:17,960 --> 00:05:21,159 Speaker 3: You start cleaning your house. Five minutes later, I don't 91 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,720 Speaker 3: feel like doing this. I am so tired, this is 92 00:05:23,760 --> 00:05:26,279 Speaker 3: so boring. No turn it around. I am strong in 93 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,039 Speaker 3: the Lord, I am full of energy, I am healthy. 94 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,320 Speaker 3: This is no match for me. If you'll tap into 95 00:05:32,360 --> 00:05:35,919 Speaker 3: this finishing grace, you'll vacuum your house like you're on 96 00:05:35,960 --> 00:05:41,360 Speaker 3: a mission from God, vacuuming up dirt, coins, socks, children, 97 00:05:41,440 --> 00:05:44,760 Speaker 3: anything that gets in your way. Maybe you're tempted to 98 00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:47,479 Speaker 3: give up on a dream. Things haven't turned out the 99 00:05:47,480 --> 00:05:50,880 Speaker 3: way you planned. Was going fine at first, but then 100 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:53,080 Speaker 3: you had some obstacles and you think, hey man, it 101 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:56,640 Speaker 3: just wasn't meant to be. Here's what I've learned. The 102 00:05:56,920 --> 00:06:00,600 Speaker 3: enemy doesn't try to stop you from starting. He's seen 103 00:06:00,640 --> 00:06:03,839 Speaker 3: a lot of people start. That doesn't bother him. But 104 00:06:03,960 --> 00:06:07,679 Speaker 3: when you have a made up mind, you keep pushing forward, 105 00:06:08,080 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 3: doing the right thing, taking new ground. When he sees 106 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:15,480 Speaker 3: you getting closer, he'll work over time to try to 107 00:06:15,560 --> 00:06:20,120 Speaker 3: keep you from finishing. When you have setbacks, disappointments, people 108 00:06:20,120 --> 00:06:23,479 Speaker 3: come against you, a negative medical report, don't get discouraged. 109 00:06:23,880 --> 00:06:27,920 Speaker 3: That's a sign that you're moving toward your finished line. 110 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 3: He was fine when you got started, He was fine 111 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:34,239 Speaker 3: when you were way back, no big deal. But when 112 00:06:34,279 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 3: you begin to make progress, that got his attention. That's 113 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 3: when he threw some obstacles, some challenges. Where you confused 114 00:06:42,160 --> 00:06:45,080 Speaker 3: him is he thought you would give up after the 115 00:06:45,120 --> 00:06:48,839 Speaker 3: first few difficulties. He thought you would get discouraged when 116 00:06:48,880 --> 00:06:51,640 Speaker 3: that friend turned on you, when you lost that client, 117 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,080 Speaker 3: when your child got in trouble. But instead you kept 118 00:06:55,120 --> 00:06:59,320 Speaker 3: moving forward, Thanking God that he's in control, thanking him 119 00:06:59,320 --> 00:07:02,240 Speaker 3: that he's fighting your battles, thinking him that no weapon 120 00:07:02,320 --> 00:07:05,880 Speaker 3: formed against you will prosper. What were you doing tapping 121 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:10,120 Speaker 3: into finishing grace when you should have gotten weaker, You 122 00:07:10,240 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 3: got stronger when you should have been depressed. You had 123 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 3: a smile on your face when you should have been complaining. 124 00:07:16,760 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 3: You had a song of praise instead of talking about 125 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:22,840 Speaker 3: how big the problem was. You were always talking about 126 00:07:22,840 --> 00:07:25,080 Speaker 3: how big your God is, and when you should have 127 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:28,040 Speaker 3: gone under, God caused you to go over when you 128 00:07:28,080 --> 00:07:31,120 Speaker 3: didn't see away. He made a way. When people came 129 00:07:31,160 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 3: against you. He fought your battles and you came out 130 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 3: better than you were before. Now you may be up 131 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:41,440 Speaker 3: against challenges right now, it's because you're moving forward. You're 132 00:07:41,440 --> 00:07:45,960 Speaker 3: making progress. Keep reminding yourself. He's the author and the 133 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 3: finisher of your faith. God helped you to get started. 134 00:07:49,520 --> 00:07:53,120 Speaker 3: That's great, But something more important, He's going to help 135 00:07:53,160 --> 00:07:55,520 Speaker 3: you to finish. He didn't bring you this far to 136 00:07:55,600 --> 00:08:00,360 Speaker 3: leave you, says in Philippians. God began a good working you, 137 00:08:00,720 --> 00:08:04,000 Speaker 3: and he will continue to perform it until it's complete. 138 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 3: One translation says, he will bring you to a flourishing finish, 139 00:08:09,280 --> 00:08:13,160 Speaker 3: not a defeated finish. Will you barely make it, beat up, broke. No, 140 00:08:13,320 --> 00:08:16,640 Speaker 3: you are coming to a flourishing finish, a finish more 141 00:08:16,680 --> 00:08:20,280 Speaker 3: rewarding than you ever imagine. This is what happened to 142 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:23,720 Speaker 3: a man in the Scripture named Joseph. As a teenager. 143 00:08:24,200 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 3: God gave him a dream that one day he would 144 00:08:26,840 --> 00:08:31,040 Speaker 3: rule a nation. His father, Jacob loved him very much. 145 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 3: Everything started off great for Joseph had a big dream, 146 00:08:35,480 --> 00:08:39,679 Speaker 3: a supportive family. Life was good, but along the way 147 00:08:40,040 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 3: things started to go wrong. His brothers who loved him 148 00:08:44,760 --> 00:08:48,480 Speaker 3: very much at one time, this was their little brother, Joseph. 149 00:08:48,960 --> 00:08:52,360 Speaker 3: They were always taking up for him, making sure nobody 150 00:08:52,440 --> 00:08:56,280 Speaker 3: harmed him. But these same brothers turned on him. They 151 00:08:56,280 --> 00:08:59,840 Speaker 3: were jealous. They threw Joseph into a pit, left him 152 00:08:59,840 --> 00:09:04,240 Speaker 3: there to die. They eventually changed their mind and sold 153 00:09:04,320 --> 00:09:08,400 Speaker 3: him into slavery to a man named potterfar And here 154 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:12,360 Speaker 3: Joseph hadn't really done anything wrong, yet his whole world 155 00:09:12,720 --> 00:09:16,720 Speaker 3: had been turned upside down. Looked like his dream was done, 156 00:09:17,280 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 3: betrayed by his family, a slave in a foreign country. 157 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,319 Speaker 3: If that wasn't bad enough, they put him in prison 158 00:09:24,440 --> 00:09:28,760 Speaker 3: for thirteen years for something that he didn't do. Surely, 159 00:09:28,880 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 3: Joseph was depressed, angry, bitter, upset. Nothing had turned out right. No, 160 00:09:35,160 --> 00:09:39,120 Speaker 3: Joseph understood this principle. He knew he had the grace 161 00:09:39,440 --> 00:09:42,800 Speaker 3: not only to start, but to finish what God put 162 00:09:42,800 --> 00:09:46,360 Speaker 3: in his heart. He knew the enemy wouldn't be fighting 163 00:09:46,440 --> 00:09:50,240 Speaker 3: him if he wasn't heading toward his destiny, So he 164 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:53,800 Speaker 3: stayed in faith. He kept doing the right thing. When 165 00:09:53,840 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 3: the wrong thing was happening. Not working under people, but 166 00:09:57,280 --> 00:10:01,960 Speaker 3: working under God. One day, the Pharaoh, the leader of 167 00:10:02,000 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 3: the nation, had a dream that he didn't understand. Joseph 168 00:10:06,120 --> 00:10:09,400 Speaker 3: was able to interpret the dream. If Pharaoh was so 169 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,280 Speaker 3: impressed with Joseph, he brought him out of prison and 170 00:10:12,360 --> 00:10:15,679 Speaker 3: put him in charge of the whole nation. Joseph's dream 171 00:10:15,920 --> 00:10:20,080 Speaker 3: came to pass. God has put something on you that 172 00:10:20,160 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 3: will override people being against you. It will override bad 173 00:10:24,559 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 3: breaks injustice. You have the grace not to just start. 174 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:33,040 Speaker 3: You have something even more powerful, the grace to finish. 175 00:10:33,520 --> 00:10:37,679 Speaker 3: When you have an attitude like Joseph, you cannot stay defeated. 176 00:10:38,440 --> 00:10:40,800 Speaker 3: Life may push you down, but God will push you 177 00:10:40,840 --> 00:10:43,960 Speaker 3: back up. People may do you wrong, but God will 178 00:10:43,960 --> 00:10:48,600 Speaker 3: be your vindicator. Situations may look impossible, but God can 179 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 3: do the impossible. When you have finishing grace, all the 180 00:10:53,280 --> 00:10:56,720 Speaker 3: forces of darkness cannot stop you. Sure you may have 181 00:10:56,800 --> 00:11:02,760 Speaker 3: some setbacks, bad breaks injustice, but don't worry. It's only temporary. 182 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 3: It's just a detour on the way to your destiny. 183 00:11:06,320 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 3: That's a sign that you are moving toward your finished line. See, 184 00:11:11,160 --> 00:11:14,800 Speaker 3: the enemy doesn't fight people that are going the wrong way. 185 00:11:15,040 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 3: People that are off course, discouraged, distracted, bitter, angry. That's 186 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:22,480 Speaker 3: where he wants you. He comes against people that are 187 00:11:22,520 --> 00:11:25,959 Speaker 3: headed toward the fullness of their destinies, people that are 188 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:29,199 Speaker 3: taking new ground, people like you that are coming into 189 00:11:29,240 --> 00:11:33,240 Speaker 3: a flourishing finish. Our attitude should be I have a 190 00:11:33,360 --> 00:11:36,679 Speaker 3: made up mind. I'm going to keep moving forward in 191 00:11:36,760 --> 00:11:39,679 Speaker 3: spite of the bad break, in spite of the loss, 192 00:11:40,200 --> 00:11:43,679 Speaker 3: in spite of the negative report, in spite of the critics. 193 00:11:44,080 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 3: My destiny is too great, my assignment too important to 194 00:11:48,000 --> 00:11:52,560 Speaker 3: get discouraged, distracted, bitter. I'm not going to become half, 195 00:11:52,920 --> 00:11:55,880 Speaker 3: not three fours, not ninety percent. I'm going to become 196 00:11:56,080 --> 00:12:00,360 Speaker 3: all God's created me to be. When you're tempted to 197 00:12:00,400 --> 00:12:05,719 Speaker 3: get discouraged and settle, it's because you're close to your breakthrough. 198 00:12:06,559 --> 00:12:10,319 Speaker 3: You're close to seeing the problem turn around. You're close 199 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:13,960 Speaker 3: to meeting the right person. Pharaoh is about to call you, 200 00:12:14,080 --> 00:12:17,120 Speaker 3: so to speak, the good break is on the way, 201 00:12:17,240 --> 00:12:20,120 Speaker 3: the healing is on the way, the contract is on 202 00:12:20,200 --> 00:12:23,439 Speaker 3: the way. Now you've got to tap in to this 203 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:27,720 Speaker 3: finishing grace. Friends, You've come too far to stop now, 204 00:12:28,360 --> 00:12:32,439 Speaker 3: you believe too long, You've worked too hard. You've invested 205 00:12:32,480 --> 00:12:36,720 Speaker 3: too much. It may be difficult. Negative voices may be 206 00:12:36,800 --> 00:12:40,160 Speaker 3: telling you, hey, it's never going to work out. Forget it. 207 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:43,400 Speaker 3: Just settle where you are, or don't believe those lives. 208 00:12:43,720 --> 00:12:47,840 Speaker 3: You are close to your destiny. When the going gets tough, 209 00:12:48,160 --> 00:12:51,080 Speaker 3: you have to dig your heels in and say, I 210 00:12:51,120 --> 00:12:53,960 Speaker 3: am in it to win it. I am not moved 211 00:12:53,960 --> 00:12:57,760 Speaker 3: by this opposition. I am not moved by what I see, 212 00:12:58,000 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 3: by what I feel. I'm moved by what I know, 213 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:04,439 Speaker 3: and I know this. I have the grace to finish. 214 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:07,120 Speaker 3: I know this. God began a good work in me, 215 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:09,319 Speaker 3: and He's going to complete it. So I'm going to 216 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:13,080 Speaker 3: keep honoring God. I'm going to keep being good to people. 217 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:17,360 Speaker 3: I'm going to keep on being my best. Every day 218 00:13:17,400 --> 00:13:20,600 Speaker 3: you do that, you are passing the test. You are 219 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,079 Speaker 3: one day closer to coming in to your finished line. 220 00:13:24,679 --> 00:13:28,480 Speaker 3: And the scripture says here in Deuteronomy, as your days are, 221 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:33,800 Speaker 3: so shall your strength be. This means your strength will 222 00:13:33,840 --> 00:13:37,880 Speaker 3: always be equivalent to what you need. If you were 223 00:13:37,920 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 3: to get a negative medical report, you're going to have 224 00:13:40,720 --> 00:13:43,199 Speaker 3: the strength to deal with it. You're not going to 225 00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:46,080 Speaker 3: fall apart. Now I can't believe this is happening. No, 226 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:50,720 Speaker 3: your strength will always match what you're up against. I 227 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:52,959 Speaker 3: remember when my father went to be with the Lord. 228 00:13:53,640 --> 00:13:56,120 Speaker 3: My first thought was, how am I going to deal 229 00:13:56,160 --> 00:13:59,000 Speaker 3: with this? My dad and I were very close, we 230 00:13:59,200 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 3: traveled the world, and all of a sudden he was gone. 231 00:14:03,400 --> 00:14:06,840 Speaker 3: But what I thought would be very devastating, knock the 232 00:14:06,880 --> 00:14:10,239 Speaker 3: wind out of me, it wasn't anything like I'd imagined. 233 00:14:10,920 --> 00:14:14,480 Speaker 3: I felt a peace like I never felt a strength, 234 00:14:14,960 --> 00:14:19,480 Speaker 3: a resolve, a determination. I should have been upset anxious, 235 00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:23,280 Speaker 3: but that whole time I was at peace. Deep down, 236 00:14:23,400 --> 00:14:26,360 Speaker 3: I felt a rest. Sure in my mind, there were 237 00:14:26,400 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 3: thoughts of worry, anxiety, discouragement, but in my spirit I 238 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:34,960 Speaker 3: could hear God whispering, Joel, I'm in control. It's all 239 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:36,960 Speaker 3: going to work out. I've got you in the palm 240 00:14:37,040 --> 00:14:41,000 Speaker 3: of my hand. That was finishing grace, pushing me forward, 241 00:14:41,400 --> 00:14:46,440 Speaker 3: propelling me into my destiny. The psalmer said, God is 242 00:14:46,520 --> 00:14:50,800 Speaker 3: a very present help in times of need, in the 243 00:14:50,840 --> 00:14:54,600 Speaker 3: difficulties of life. If you will get quiet, turn off 244 00:14:54,640 --> 00:14:59,120 Speaker 3: the negative voices, you will feel a peace that passes understanding. 245 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:03,160 Speaker 3: You should falling apart, but there's grace for every season. 246 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 3: Victoria and I were in Colorado earlier this year, driving 247 00:15:07,560 --> 00:15:12,080 Speaker 3: through the mountains. We rented an SUV, a large vehicle 248 00:15:12,160 --> 00:15:15,400 Speaker 3: with an eight cylinder engine. As long as we were 249 00:15:15,400 --> 00:15:18,280 Speaker 3: on the flat roads, the engine was as quiet as 250 00:15:18,360 --> 00:15:21,440 Speaker 3: can be. But as we started going up the steep, 251 00:15:21,880 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 3: winding mountain roads, just when you thought the vehicle couldn't 252 00:15:25,920 --> 00:15:27,880 Speaker 3: make it, just when it looked like it was going 253 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 3: to stop, you could hear those extra two cylinders kick in. 254 00:15:32,400 --> 00:15:35,040 Speaker 3: You could actually feel the car almost like it lifted 255 00:15:35,120 --> 00:15:38,640 Speaker 3: up and took off with the new power. Here's my point. 256 00:15:39,360 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 3: Those two extra cylinders were there all the time. The 257 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 3: extra power was always available. It just showed up when 258 00:15:47,360 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 3: we needed it. It was strength in reserve. Sometimes in 259 00:15:52,440 --> 00:15:55,480 Speaker 3: life we think, how am I going to make it 260 00:15:55,560 --> 00:15:58,720 Speaker 3: up that steep hill. I've gotten this far, but how 261 00:15:58,720 --> 00:16:01,040 Speaker 3: am I going to deal with this hill? How am 262 00:16:01,080 --> 00:16:03,920 Speaker 3: I going to raise this difficult child? I went through 263 00:16:03,920 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 3: a loss, Joe, I don't think I can go on. No. 264 00:16:06,440 --> 00:16:10,280 Speaker 3: God has some strength in reserve for you. When you 265 00:16:10,360 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 3: hit a tough time, don't worry. There are two more 266 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:16,680 Speaker 3: cylinders about to kick in a strength you haven't tapped into. 267 00:16:17,080 --> 00:16:20,720 Speaker 3: You're going to feel a force pushing you forward, taking 268 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,440 Speaker 3: you where you could not go on your own. That's 269 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:28,640 Speaker 3: finishing grace. And I've learned the closer you get to 270 00:16:28,720 --> 00:16:33,320 Speaker 3: your destiny, the tougher the battles become. The higher you 271 00:16:33,360 --> 00:16:36,760 Speaker 3: go up the mountain, the more God promotes you, the 272 00:16:36,760 --> 00:16:39,680 Speaker 3: steeper the hill is. The critics will come out of 273 00:16:39,680 --> 00:16:43,960 Speaker 3: the woodwork. People may not celebrate you unexpected challenges, a 274 00:16:44,040 --> 00:16:48,080 Speaker 3: health issue, a business slows down, you lose a loved one. 275 00:16:48,160 --> 00:16:50,960 Speaker 3: It's easy to think, man, I was doing so good 276 00:16:51,560 --> 00:16:53,880 Speaker 3: if I just wouldn't have had this bad break. Now 277 00:16:53,920 --> 00:16:57,000 Speaker 3: I've got this steep hill to go up. Now that 278 00:16:57,240 --> 00:17:01,560 Speaker 3: challenge is a sign that you are close to your destiny. 279 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 3: The same God that gave you the grace to start 280 00:17:05,240 --> 00:17:08,040 Speaker 3: is the same God that's going to help you finish. 281 00:17:08,680 --> 00:17:12,800 Speaker 3: He knows exactly where your path is leading. Nothing you're 282 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 3: facing is a surprise to him. He knows every hill, 283 00:17:16,720 --> 00:17:22,879 Speaker 3: every disappointment, every setback. He said that his grace is sufficient. 284 00:17:23,600 --> 00:17:26,480 Speaker 3: You will never come to a hill where you don't 285 00:17:26,520 --> 00:17:29,560 Speaker 3: have the strength to climb it. Now, you may face 286 00:17:29,560 --> 00:17:32,080 Speaker 3: some challenges like I did when my dad went to 287 00:17:32,119 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 3: be with the Lord. Where you think, man, I don't 288 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:36,720 Speaker 3: know how I'm going to make it up. This The 289 00:17:36,840 --> 00:17:40,680 Speaker 3: reason you think that way is you haven't needed those 290 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:44,320 Speaker 3: two extra cylinders yet. You have not felt the full 291 00:17:44,440 --> 00:17:48,680 Speaker 3: force of finishing grace. When it kicks in, it's going 292 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:52,280 Speaker 3: to propel you forward. You're going to climb mountains that 293 00:17:52,359 --> 00:17:55,480 Speaker 3: you thought were way too steep. You're going to overcome 294 00:17:55,600 --> 00:17:59,760 Speaker 3: obstacles that looked insurmountable, accomplish dreams that you thought were 295 00:17:59,760 --> 00:18:04,800 Speaker 3: in possible. How could you do this? Finishing grace You 296 00:18:04,840 --> 00:18:09,240 Speaker 3: tapped into strength in reserve. This is what the apostle 297 00:18:09,280 --> 00:18:12,880 Speaker 3: Paul did in the scripture. He faced some huge hills, 298 00:18:13,359 --> 00:18:16,720 Speaker 3: didn't look like he could fulfill his destiny. He was 299 00:18:16,760 --> 00:18:20,760 Speaker 3: doing the right thing, sharing the good news, helping other people. 300 00:18:21,119 --> 00:18:25,120 Speaker 3: When he was arrested and put in prison, the closer 301 00:18:25,160 --> 00:18:28,480 Speaker 3: he got to his destiny, the more obstacles he faced. 302 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:33,439 Speaker 3: He was alone in a dungeon on death row. It 303 00:18:33,520 --> 00:18:38,560 Speaker 3: looked like God had forgotten about him. But Paul wasn't defeated, depressed, 304 00:18:38,800 --> 00:18:42,600 Speaker 3: feeling sorry for himself. Even though he was in chains, 305 00:18:43,000 --> 00:18:46,359 Speaker 3: they couldn't stop what God wanted him to do. And 306 00:18:46,400 --> 00:18:49,280 Speaker 3: since Paul couldn't go out and speak publicly, he thought 307 00:18:49,320 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 3: no problem, I'll start writing. He wrote book after book. 308 00:18:53,640 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 3: Here's a letter to the Ephesians, Here's a letter to 309 00:18:56,359 --> 00:19:01,280 Speaker 3: the Colossians, to the Romans, to the Corinthians. Over half 310 00:19:01,359 --> 00:19:05,000 Speaker 3: of the New Testament, much of it from a prison cell. 311 00:19:05,880 --> 00:19:08,600 Speaker 3: They thought they were stopping him, but they were doing 312 00:19:08,720 --> 00:19:13,480 Speaker 3: just the opposite, causing his voice to become amplified. Here 313 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:17,400 Speaker 3: we are, some two thousand years later, still feeling Paul's influence. 314 00:19:17,680 --> 00:19:21,919 Speaker 3: What they meant for harm God's use for good. People 315 00:19:21,960 --> 00:19:25,360 Speaker 3: may try to stop you, but finishing grace will get 316 00:19:25,400 --> 00:19:28,080 Speaker 3: you to where you're supposed to be. They may push 317 00:19:28,119 --> 00:19:30,879 Speaker 3: you down, but finishing grace will lift you back up. 318 00:19:31,640 --> 00:19:34,880 Speaker 3: They may try to discredit, be little, leave you out. 319 00:19:35,080 --> 00:19:38,119 Speaker 3: Don't get upset. They are a part of the plan 320 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:42,000 Speaker 3: to get you to your destiny. God will use them 321 00:19:42,440 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 3: to propel you forward. As long as you stay in 322 00:19:45,640 --> 00:19:50,080 Speaker 3: faith and keep honoring God, you will accomplish your assignment. 323 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:53,600 Speaker 3: He is the author and the finisher of your faith. 324 00:19:54,520 --> 00:19:58,399 Speaker 3: Now quit focusing on who's against you, on how steep 325 00:19:58,440 --> 00:20:01,920 Speaker 3: the hill is, on how possible it looks. God has 326 00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:06,680 Speaker 3: the final say. He brought Joseph out of prison. Paul 327 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:11,480 Speaker 3: stayed in prison. But they both fulfilled their destinies. If 328 00:20:11,520 --> 00:20:15,040 Speaker 3: God doesn't turn it around the way you thought, he 329 00:20:15,080 --> 00:20:17,840 Speaker 3: may do like Paul and cause you to have great 330 00:20:17,920 --> 00:20:21,479 Speaker 3: influence right in the midst of your enemies, in the 331 00:20:21,520 --> 00:20:25,280 Speaker 3: midst of those difficulties, you can shine, be a bright light, 332 00:20:25,840 --> 00:20:29,480 Speaker 3: have God's favor. Bottom line is this, No person can 333 00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:32,639 Speaker 3: stand against our God. No bad break can keep you 334 00:20:32,680 --> 00:20:37,000 Speaker 3: from your destiny. God has given you finishing grace. He's 335 00:20:37,040 --> 00:20:39,159 Speaker 3: going to get you to where you're supposed to be. 336 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:42,720 Speaker 3: When Paul came to the end of his life, he said, 337 00:20:43,160 --> 00:20:47,800 Speaker 3: I have finished my course. One place says I finished 338 00:20:47,960 --> 00:20:54,000 Speaker 3: my course with joy. Notice he didn't finish defeated, depressed, sour. 339 00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:57,720 Speaker 3: He finished with a smile on his face. He finished 340 00:20:57,720 --> 00:21:00,560 Speaker 3: with a spring in his step. He finished with a 341 00:21:00,640 --> 00:21:03,719 Speaker 3: song in his heart. That's what it means to have 342 00:21:03,800 --> 00:21:07,800 Speaker 3: a flourishing finish. We all have things come against us. 343 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:11,240 Speaker 3: It's easy to lose our passion and drag through life, 344 00:21:11,520 --> 00:21:16,040 Speaker 3: discourage negative, bitter, but there is no victory if you 345 00:21:16,160 --> 00:21:19,320 Speaker 3: finish your course that way. You have to make up 346 00:21:19,320 --> 00:21:22,359 Speaker 3: your mind. I'm not only going to finish my course, 347 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:26,520 Speaker 3: I'm going to finish it with joy, with a good attitude, 348 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:30,560 Speaker 3: not complaining, but with a song of praise, not thinking 349 00:21:30,560 --> 00:21:32,960 Speaker 3: about what I don't have, but thanking God for what 350 00:21:33,040 --> 00:21:35,879 Speaker 3: I do have, not looking at what's wrong in my life, 351 00:21:36,080 --> 00:21:39,040 Speaker 3: but thanking God for what's right in my life. When 352 00:21:39,040 --> 00:21:42,840 Speaker 3: you tap into finishing grace, you want dragged through the day, 353 00:21:43,240 --> 00:21:47,240 Speaker 3: you'll enjoy the day. Thousands of years ago, in Greece, 354 00:21:47,680 --> 00:21:51,520 Speaker 3: there was a famous race called the Torch Race. All 355 00:21:51,560 --> 00:21:54,480 Speaker 3: of the runners got a torch. At the start of 356 00:21:54,520 --> 00:21:57,920 Speaker 3: the race, they would light the fire. Those runners would 357 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:01,399 Speaker 3: take off running with their torch lit. The only way 358 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:04,320 Speaker 3: you could win the race was to cross the finish 359 00:22:04,440 --> 00:22:09,160 Speaker 3: line with your torch still lit. Even if you finish first, 360 00:22:09,480 --> 00:22:13,280 Speaker 3: if your fire went out, you were disqualified. So the 361 00:22:13,320 --> 00:22:16,280 Speaker 3: whole time they were running on the forefront of their 362 00:22:16,359 --> 00:22:21,520 Speaker 3: mind was protecting their fire, keeping it from wind or 363 00:22:21,600 --> 00:22:24,320 Speaker 3: rain or anything that might put it out. They were 364 00:22:24,359 --> 00:22:27,600 Speaker 3: constantly checking their torch to make sure that it was 365 00:22:27,640 --> 00:22:31,919 Speaker 3: still lit. It's the same principle in the race of life. 366 00:22:32,520 --> 00:22:35,720 Speaker 3: If you're going to finish your course with joy, you've 367 00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:39,000 Speaker 3: got to guard your fire. You can't let your flame 368 00:22:39,119 --> 00:22:43,359 Speaker 3: go out. Too many people have lost their passion They're 369 00:22:43,400 --> 00:22:47,520 Speaker 3: still running, but their torch is no longer lit. At 370 00:22:47,560 --> 00:22:50,760 Speaker 3: one time they were passionate about their dreams. They had 371 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,560 Speaker 3: some setbacks. Now they're running, that's good, but they let 372 00:22:54,640 --> 00:22:58,880 Speaker 3: their fire go out. They lost their zeal. If that's you, 373 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,960 Speaker 3: I've come, We light your fire. God is not done 374 00:23:03,040 --> 00:23:06,400 Speaker 3: with you. You have not seen your best days. You've got 375 00:23:06,400 --> 00:23:10,920 Speaker 3: to shake off the blaws, shake off the discouragement. There 376 00:23:11,080 --> 00:23:14,400 Speaker 3: is a flame that is still alive on the inside 377 00:23:14,400 --> 00:23:17,159 Speaker 3: of you. The scripture talks about how we have to 378 00:23:17,240 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 3: fan the flame, stir up the gifts. It's not enough 379 00:23:21,040 --> 00:23:23,919 Speaker 3: to just finish. You've got to finish your course with 380 00:23:24,040 --> 00:23:27,840 Speaker 3: your fire still burning. For as long as I can remember, 381 00:23:28,240 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 3: my father struggled with high blood pressure. Toward the end 382 00:23:31,840 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 3: of his life. He didn't feel well. The medicines made 383 00:23:34,920 --> 00:23:38,440 Speaker 3: him dizzy, His kidneys quit working properly, and he had 384 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:42,000 Speaker 3: to go on dialysis. We used to travel overseas a 385 00:23:42,040 --> 00:23:44,560 Speaker 3: couple of times a year. He really looked forward to it, 386 00:23:45,119 --> 00:23:47,640 Speaker 3: but when his health went downhill, he had to stay 387 00:23:47,680 --> 00:23:51,240 Speaker 3: at home and take dialysis three times a week. He 388 00:23:51,280 --> 00:23:54,440 Speaker 3: never wanted to live if he couldn't preach. Even though 389 00:23:54,440 --> 00:23:58,360 Speaker 3: he didn't feel well. He never missed a Sunday. Victoria 390 00:23:58,480 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 3: used to go pick him up and bring him to 391 00:24:00,440 --> 00:24:03,520 Speaker 3: church a little bit late. Sometimes she'd called and said, Gel, 392 00:24:03,920 --> 00:24:06,720 Speaker 3: I'm not sure your dad can minister today, doesn't seem 393 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,240 Speaker 3: like he feels well. I would run down from the 394 00:24:09,240 --> 00:24:11,879 Speaker 3: TV department during the service. When he arrived, Daddy, you're 395 00:24:11,920 --> 00:24:14,120 Speaker 3: sure you're up to this. He'd smile and say, yeah, Joel, 396 00:24:14,119 --> 00:24:17,199 Speaker 3: I'm ready to go. When he walked out on the platform, 397 00:24:17,359 --> 00:24:19,879 Speaker 3: nobody knew he wasn't up to par. He still had 398 00:24:19,920 --> 00:24:23,040 Speaker 3: a spring in his step, a smile on his face. 399 00:24:23,840 --> 00:24:27,320 Speaker 3: He could have been at home negative, complaining, God, I've 400 00:24:27,359 --> 00:24:29,760 Speaker 3: served you all these years. Look what it comes down to. 401 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:34,040 Speaker 3: I can hardly even minister. No. He kept his fire burning. 402 00:24:34,640 --> 00:24:38,000 Speaker 3: He guarded that flame. He was determined to not just 403 00:24:38,080 --> 00:24:42,800 Speaker 3: finish his course, but to finish it with joy. Seventy 404 00:24:42,840 --> 00:24:46,399 Speaker 3: seven years old. One night he wasn't feeling well. He 405 00:24:46,480 --> 00:24:48,800 Speaker 3: asked my brother in law, Gary to come over and 406 00:24:48,880 --> 00:24:52,000 Speaker 3: visit with him. They were talking about two o'clock in 407 00:24:52,040 --> 00:24:55,680 Speaker 3: the morning, and Gary asked him what he thought about 408 00:24:55,680 --> 00:24:59,399 Speaker 3: the difficulties he was having. My father said, Gary, I 409 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,199 Speaker 3: don't understan and at all, But I know this, his 410 00:25:02,440 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 3: mercy endures forever. Those were the last words my father 411 00:25:07,680 --> 00:25:11,760 Speaker 3: ever spoke. Right then he breathed his final breath and 412 00:25:11,800 --> 00:25:14,520 Speaker 3: went to be with the Lord. But think about those 413 00:25:14,600 --> 00:25:18,720 Speaker 3: last words. He wasn't complaining. He was bragging on God's goodness, 414 00:25:19,040 --> 00:25:23,639 Speaker 3: not magnifying his problem, but magnifying his God. He crossed 415 00:25:23,720 --> 00:25:27,240 Speaker 3: the finish line with his fire still burning, with his 416 00:25:27,359 --> 00:25:31,359 Speaker 3: torch still lit. The scripture talks about how the saints 417 00:25:31,359 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 3: of old died in faith. The truth is, one day, 418 00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:37,800 Speaker 3: of course, we're all going to die. You have to 419 00:25:37,880 --> 00:25:40,800 Speaker 3: make a decision. Are you going to die in faith 420 00:25:41,600 --> 00:25:44,320 Speaker 3: or are you going to die negative, bitter, complaining. I 421 00:25:44,320 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 3: can't believe this happened, Nor make up your mind that 422 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:50,480 Speaker 3: you're going to die full of joy, with your fire 423 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:55,360 Speaker 3: still burning, with your torch still lift. Nineteen sixty eight, 424 00:25:55,440 --> 00:25:59,600 Speaker 3: the Olympic Games were held in Mexico City. During the marathon, 425 00:26:00,240 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 3: a young runner from Tanzania fell and broke his leg. 426 00:26:04,600 --> 00:26:07,720 Speaker 3: He was bloodied and bruised, but somehow managed to get 427 00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:12,520 Speaker 3: up and continue running. Long after everyone else had finished. 428 00:26:12,880 --> 00:26:16,600 Speaker 3: He entered the stadium for his final lap. Over one 429 00:26:16,640 --> 00:26:20,040 Speaker 3: hundred thousand people were there earlier, but now an hour 430 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:24,199 Speaker 3: or two later, only a few thousand people remained. The 431 00:26:24,240 --> 00:26:27,960 Speaker 3: main lights were off, television cameras gone, the event was 432 00:26:28,000 --> 00:26:32,359 Speaker 3: officially over. As he struggled into the stadium headed toward 433 00:26:32,440 --> 00:26:36,320 Speaker 3: that final lap, when the few thousand people saw him, 434 00:26:36,600 --> 00:26:39,840 Speaker 3: they stood up and began to cheer him on. They 435 00:26:39,920 --> 00:26:43,480 Speaker 3: cheered louder and louder as if he was in first place. 436 00:26:44,200 --> 00:26:47,600 Speaker 3: Drawing strength from the crowd, he began to smile and 437 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:50,480 Speaker 3: wave as if he was going to win the gold medal. 438 00:26:51,040 --> 00:26:53,959 Speaker 3: It was a moving moment later seen around the world. 439 00:26:54,880 --> 00:26:58,440 Speaker 3: A reporter asked him afterwards, why didn't you drop out 440 00:26:58,440 --> 00:27:01,800 Speaker 3: of the race when you broke your leg? Nobody would 441 00:27:01,840 --> 00:27:05,400 Speaker 3: have faulted you for it. The young man from Tanzania said, 442 00:27:05,880 --> 00:27:09,560 Speaker 3: my country didn't send me seven thousand miles to start 443 00:27:09,600 --> 00:27:13,440 Speaker 3: the race, but to finish it. In the same way, 444 00:27:14,800 --> 00:27:18,880 Speaker 3: God didn't breathe his life into you, crown you with favor, 445 00:27:19,240 --> 00:27:22,760 Speaker 3: put seeds of greatness on the inside to start the race, 446 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:26,520 Speaker 3: but he sent you to finish it. The scripture talks 447 00:27:26,560 --> 00:27:29,120 Speaker 3: about how the race is not for the swift, nor 448 00:27:29,200 --> 00:27:32,640 Speaker 3: for the strong, but for those who endure till the end. 449 00:27:33,440 --> 00:27:36,000 Speaker 3: You don't have to finish first. You're not competing with 450 00:27:36,080 --> 00:27:40,280 Speaker 3: anybody else. Just finish your course. Keep your fire burning. 451 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,960 Speaker 3: You weren't created to give up, to quit. We can 452 00:27:44,000 --> 00:27:46,600 Speaker 3: all find a reason to drop out of the race. 453 00:27:46,680 --> 00:27:49,000 Speaker 3: We can all find some kind of excuse. But you 454 00:27:49,119 --> 00:27:51,360 Speaker 3: have to dig your heels in and say I am 455 00:27:51,440 --> 00:27:55,040 Speaker 3: determined to finish my course. If you will tap into 456 00:27:55,040 --> 00:27:58,439 Speaker 3: this finishing race, those two extra cylinders will kick in 457 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:00,399 Speaker 3: when you need it. You'll have a string that you 458 00:28:00,440 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 3: didn't have now. I believe in declare like the apostle Paul, 459 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:07,640 Speaker 3: you will finish your course with joy. You will complete 460 00:28:07,640 --> 00:28:11,360 Speaker 3: your assignment and become everything God created you to be. 461 00:28:11,680 --> 00:28:14,920 Speaker 3: In Jesus' name, if you receive it, can you say 462 00:28:15,000 --> 00:28:18,440 Speaker 3: him in today? We never like to close our broadcast 463 00:28:18,600 --> 00:28:21,720 Speaker 3: without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus the lord 464 00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 3: of your life. Would you pray with me, just say Lord, Jesus, 465 00:28:27,119 --> 00:28:31,800 Speaker 3: I repent of my sins. Come into my heart. I 466 00:28:31,960 --> 00:28:35,920 Speaker 3: make you my Lord and savior. Friends, if you prayed 467 00:28:35,920 --> 00:28:38,920 Speaker 3: that simple prayer, we believe you got born again. Get 468 00:28:38,920 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 3: in a good Bible based church. Keep God first place. 469 00:28:42,320 --> 00:28:44,560 Speaker 3: He'll take your places that you've never dreamed of. 470 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:47,800 Speaker 4: Thank you for listening to the juelos Den podcast. 471 00:28:48,120 --> 00:28:49,320 Speaker 3: Help us continue to. 472 00:28:49,280 --> 00:28:52,240 Speaker 4: Share the message of hope with those all over the world. 473 00:28:52,520 --> 00:28:54,120 Speaker 3: Visit joelos dein dot. 474 00:28:53,880 --> 00:28:56,960 Speaker 4: Com slash give Hope to give a gift today. 475 00:28:58,240 --> 00:29:01,120 Speaker 3: Thanks so much for listening to today's message. I hope 476 00:29:01,160 --> 00:29:04,520 Speaker 3: you'll subscribe so you can receive the latest podcast to 477 00:29:04,600 --> 00:29:07,800 Speaker 3: keep you inspired all through the week. We're praying for you. 478 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:10,440 Speaker 3: I know God's best is still ahead. 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